The Apostle Thomas gets bad publicity, especially around
Easter time. He’s the one who wanted proof that the person everyone reported
seeing after Jesus’ crucifixion was really Him. I love that Jesus took the
extra effort to appear to Thomas and dispel his doubts. Jesus assured him that
He really and truly was the Christ. He told Thomas, “Because you have seen me,
you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
(John 20:29)
James 1:6 compares doubting to a wind-whipped wave, tossed
about on the sea—it needs to be dispelled. Like those times a little voice in
my head says, “You can’t to do that! You don’t have the skills, the passion, or
the time! There is someone else who will do a better job.”
Or when doubt whispers the “what ifs”. What if I shouldn’t
have said that? What if the other job was the right one? What if this isn’t
what God wants? What if . . . ?
So, how do we dispel doubts? Thomas’ experience offers us three ways
to fend off these vague, discouraging suspicions:
Talk: Discussing our
misgivings with other believers can help resolve doubts. Thomas obviously
shared his qualms with the other disciples.
Truth: Getting
the facts can dispel doubts. Jesus showed Thomas the proof.
Trust: When we
have prayed, Scripture after Scripture says that we can trust God to answer our
prayer because God is trustworthy. Jesus tells Thomas that, even when we can’t
see Him, we can trust Him.
We all harbor uncertainties from time to time, but we don’t
have to allow them to haunt us. Jesus invites us to bring our doubts to Him,
where we can talk them over, where He can reveal the truth, and where we will
be assured He is trustworthy.
Just as I am, though
tossed about
With many a conflict,
many a doubt;
Fightings within, and
fears without,
O Lamb of God, I
come, I come!
Be encouraged!
Pam
©2019 Pamela D. Williams
Comments welcome via Facebook
or email (writepam71@gmail.com).
